Over the past several years, shipping containers have gained huge popularity for both residential and commercial use. This is largely due to the tiny home trend that swept through social media and television a few years back. Because of this, many started looking at shipping containers as a cost-effective and weatherproof canvas for their home improvement projects or business needs instead of just a simple storage unit.
Depending on what you need it for, choosing the right container can be challenging. In this article we’re going to break down the differences between standard and high cube containers along with some use-cases for both to help you make the right choice for your needs!
Click here to jump to our section on Standard Shipping Containers or High Cube Containers
Click to view the size and dimensions of the following standard shipping containers:
The great thing about shipping containers is that their sizing is very uniformed. Most mass-produced containers are generally the same height and width with the only variance being in the length. This is why when they are typically labeled with the length in the name as opposed to any other measurement (i.e. 10’ Shipping Containers).
In case you’re wondering what the dimensions of a standard shipping container are, we’ll break it down by the most common types.
The typical dimensions of a 10 Foot Standard Container are:
| Exterior: Length: 10 Feet Width: 8 Feet Height: 8 Feet 6 Inches | Interior: Length: 9 Feet 3 Inches Width: 7 Feet 8 Inches Height: 7 Feet 10 Inches |
The typical dimensions of a 20 Foot Standard Container are:
| Exterior: Length: 20 Feet Width: 8 Feet Height: 8 Feet 6 Inches | Interior: Length: 19 Feet 3 Inches Width: 7 Feet 8 Inches Height: 7 Feet 10 Inches |
The typical dimensions of a 40 Foot Standard Container are:
| Exterior: Length: 40 Feet Width: 8 Feet Height: 8 Feet 6 Inches | Interior: Length: 39 Feet 3 Inches Width: 7 Feet 8 Inches Height: 7 Feet 10 Inches |
It is also important to note, that while these are the most common sizes of shipping containers for sale you may also run into other ‘specialty sizes‘ of standard containers that include <10 Foot, 16 foot, and 24 foot lengths.
Aside from just storage solutions, shipping containers can be used for almost anything. If you’re handy, you can fully customize it yourself adding floors, insulation, windows, etc. – if not, there are many companies that specialize in shipping container or sea can modifications.
Here are some of the common use cases for standard shipping containers:
Residential• Tiny home / shipping container homes | Business / Commercial• Mobile office |
Click to view the size and dimensions of the following high cube shipping containers:
Much like the standard shipping containers, the sizes and the dimensions of the High Cube containers are also very uniformed. The main difference between both types (standard and high cube) is in the height. A high cube container is 1 foot taller than a standard container (9 Foot 6 Inches) whereas a standard containers height, as mentioned above, is 8 Foot 6 Inches.
Again, much like the standard containers, the dimensions of high cube containers only vary in the length when comparing different models. Here are some of the most common sizes and their interior / exterior dimensions.
The typical dimensions of a 10 Foot High Cube Container are:
| Exterior: Length: 10 Feet Width: 8 Feet Height: 9 Feet 6 Inches | Interior: Length: 9 Feet 3 Inches Width: 7 Feet 8 Inches Height: 8 Feet 10 Inches |
The typical dimensions of a 20 Foot High Cube Container are:
| Exterior: Length: 20 Feet Width: 8 Feet Height: 9 Feet 6 Inches | Interior: Length: 19 Feet 3 Inches Width: 7 Feet 8 Inches Height: 8 Feet 10 Inches |
The typical dimensions of a 40 Foot High Cube Container are:
| Exterior: Length: 40 Feet Width: 8 Feet Height: 9 Feet 6 Inches | Interior: Length: 39 Feet 3 Inches Width: 7 Feet 8 Inches Height: 8 Feet 10 Inches |
There are many other sizes of high cube containers that aren’t listed above. Once again, the main difference will only reside in the actual length of the unit. The 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft units are the most common sizes of high cube containers for sale but you may also run into other ‘specialty sizes‘ of high cube containers that include <10 Foot or 30 foot lengths.
Much like the standard containers, high cube containers can be modified to suit pretty much any need. The main difference here is that you’ll have access to an extra 1 foot in height which can make all the difference depending on what you’re using it for (or if you’re very tall).
Here are some of the common uses for High Cube containers;
Residential• Tiny homes/shipping container homes | Business / Commercial• Materials storage (drywall, plywood, window frames, etc.) |
At Coast Containers, we sell both new shipping containers and used shipping containers across Canada. Rest assured that before you buy a shipping container, all our containers have been inspected and are guaranteed to be Wind and Watertight (WWT) and rodent-proof! We can help you find the best shipping container prices, sizes, types, accessories, and delivery options available for your location or address.
For more information about the cost of a shipping container in Canada, please feel free to request a quote or contact us by reaching out to one of our helpful representatives.
